Suspects rob family, kidnap 3-year-old

May 4, 2009 12:00:00 AM PDT

By Amy Powell

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. --

An Amber Alert has been issued after robbers kidnap a 3-year-old boy from his home in San Bernardino on Sunday.Authorities said two armed suspects burst into a home on the 8000 block of Pedley Road in an unincorporated area of San Bernardino at about 2:30 p.m.

The men allegedly tied up Maria Rosalina Milan and her five children, ransacked the house, took cash and other personal items, then left with Milan's youngest, 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez. The children range in age from 16 to 3.

"It's unknown at this time why they would have taken the boy," said Jodi Miller from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

One of the children managed to free himself and untie the rest of the family. Milan ran to a neighbor for help.

"They said they were going to take her son and take him to Mexico and kill him," said neighbor Estela Magna.

The suspects reportedly warned the family not to call police.

Police are unsure why this family was targeted in the home invasion and kidnapping. There are no apparent connections to the suspects.

Still shaken by the incident, Milan said the suspects had tied her family up with duct tape.

Authorities issued an Amber Alert, although they do not have a suspect vehicle description.

Miller said the FBI is assisting the Sheriff's Department in the investigation because of the possibility the boy was taken out of state.

Briant Rodriguez is a Hispanic boy, about 3 feet tall, 40 pounds, and was last seen wearing a yellow shirt with blue sleeves, blue striped shorts and black sandals. He has long brown hair and brown eyes.

One suspect is described as a light-skinned Hispanic male adult, about 18 years old, skinny build, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and was wearing a black ball cap, blue jeans and a green T-shirt.

The second suspect is described as a light-skinned Hispanic male adult, about 24 years old, skinny build, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and was wearing a black shirt, black pants, black boots and a white bandana.

Both men were reportedly armed with handguns.

Anyone with information is urged to call San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies at (866) 346-7632.